Chapter 57: Kicking Down the Door
"Who's there!"
Alexander Pierce jolted. Spun around, drew his pistol—found nothing behind him.
Auditory hallucination? No. Someone was definitely there... Pierce narrowed his eyes.
As a seasoned operative from the Cold War era... even now, aged, a government official no longer in the field—his agent's instincts never failed.
"Didn't you want to see me? Now I'm here and you're scared?"
The voice came again. This time—from his side.
Pierce whipped around. Saw faint ripples in the air. A girl in pitch-black robes slowly materialized.
Witnessing this supernatural scene, Pierce's pupils contracted. Seemed to realize something.
"You're... Miss Witch?"
"Bingo!"
Hermione snapped her fingers.
Though just a young girl, Pierce didn't dare underestimate her. Gripped his gun tighter.
"Put it down. That thing's useless against me."
Hermione said flatly.
"So Miss Witch honors me with a visit. What brings you here so late?" Pierce acted like he hadn't heard.
Watching Pierce's stonewalling, Hermione shook her head. "Expelliarmus!"
A red flash. Pierce felt his hands involuntarily loosen. The gun flew away in an impossible arc.
Experiencing magic firsthand, his breathing quickened. He raised both hands.
"Alright, alright, Miss Witch. I overreacted. But you should understand—as a professional agent, I—"
"Enough acting. I know you sent people to capture me." Hermione grew impatient. "Since you want a fight, I'll grant your wish. Die!"
She raised her wand. The tip glowed sickly green. Utterly sinister.
"Wait, Miss Witch!"
Seeing Hermione ready to attack without negotiation, Pierce finally panicked.
Are all kids this impatient nowadays?
He'd planned to fish for information, see if he could bluff his way out... Now it seemed she was absolutely certain he'd orchestrated this.
How did it leak?
Pierce was baffled.
"Don't attack yet! I admit it was me. But I did it for ordinary people and the magical world!"
Mind racing, Pierce started improvising.
Hermione nearly laughed.
What kind of excuse is that?
But she didn't expose him. Tilted her head. Feigned confusion. "Why?"
Pierce relaxed slightly. Continued, "Nick Fury's using you. He just wants to extract intel about the wizarding world. Never considered that you wizards have stayed hidden so long—other wizards definitely don't want exposure."
"Once you reveal too much, it'll cause conflict between wizards and S.H.I.E.L.D. Might even trigger war between ordinary people and wizards. And you'll definitely be punished by the wizarding community."
"Capturing you was to draw out other wizards. Explain clearly. Avoid the worst outcome!"
Finished in one breath, Pierce discreetly observed Hermione's reaction.
He deliberately exaggerated consequences—banking on her being a kid, afraid of consequences—to make her overlook the kidnapping itself.
Sounds almost convincing... Hermione thought. But outwardly pretended to consider carefully.
There's an opening!
Pierce's eyes lit up.
"Fine. You pass this time!"
Hermione feigned falling for it. "I won't tell you people anything anymore!"
Pierce felt like he'd shot himself in the foot.
He'd spun this nonsense to save his life. Now his life was saved—but all intel gone. Looked like S.H.I.E.L.D.'s loss. Actually, this was HYDRA's intel!
Never thought he—a top operative—would be rendered helpless by a young girl's few words.
"Miss Witch, how did you know this involved me?" Pierce could only change topics. Ask his most pressing question.
"Your people told me!"
Pierce frowned. Impossible. These were loyal operatives. Would die before leaking mission intel.
Hermione pursed her lips.
"I'm a witch. You sent people without even figuring out what I can do?"
Seeing Pierce's confused expression, Hermione decided to enlighten him.
"Imperio!"
As the words fell, Pierce suddenly felt his mind go blank. An overwhelming sense of bliss rose.
"Come on. Dance for me!"
"Yes." Pierce's eyes glazed. Replied mechanically.
Then actually started dancing. Until drenched in sweat. Didn't stop. Kept dancing without feeling pain.
Hermione flicked her wand. Next instant, Pierce's consciousness returned. Stared at Hermione in horror.
Chest heaving. Gasping violently. Whether from exertion or fear—unclear.
"What did you do!"
"Imperius Curse. I think you've experienced its effects firsthand." Hermione shrugged.
Hearing this, Pierce was terrified.
Just now, he'd lost himself. Only one thought in his mind—obey Hermione's commands. Complete any task, no matter what.
Mind control!
She even has this ability?!
No wonder Hermione knew. Someone from the assault team must've been controlled. Confessed everything.
After the shock, Pierce looked at Hermione with barely concealed interest.
If we had this ability...
"By the way, that person said he was something called HYDRA. What's HYDRA?" Hermione tilted her head, looked at Pierce. "Some special S.H.I.E.L.D. division?"
Pierce's pupils contracted sharply. Next second, returned to normal.
"Sort of." He tried to keep his expression unchanged. "It's classified S.H.I.E.L.D. intel. Please don't leak it, Miss Witch."
Good. Seems she doesn't know much...
"Okay, okay. But S.H.I.E.L.D. has quite the talent pool. Someone actually escaped from me." Hermione nodded. "Some person kept phasing. So hard to catch!"
Ghost... Pierce's eyes flickered.
Didn't expect her ability to work even against a witch. Priority asset.
"But—daring to ambush me? I need to teach you a lesson!"
"Sectumsempra!"
Pierce felt a chill by his ear. Looked down. His left ear had fallen to the ground. Blood gushing.
"Let's see if you dare mess with me again!"
Hermione smirked triumphantly. Then the air twisted. She vanished into thin air.
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